Sole-molding machine



April 2, 1946.

A. C. EEK

SOLE-MOLDING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1944 2 Sheets-Shet i r M mM n H Mm 1 en 7 ywwhi 1 5 April 2, 1946. A. C. EEK 2,397,598

SOLE-MOLDING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1944 2 Sheets-SheetZ A v J Patented Apr. 2, 1946 .SOLE-MOLDINGMACHINE Albin C. -Eek,"Webster Groves,'Mo., assignorto United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application March 30, 1944, Serial N0."528,'692

13 Claims.

This invention relates to sole-molding machinesofthe type comprising cooperating upper and lower sole-molding forms adapted to operate upona sole before thesole is incorporated in a shoe. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a novelsole-gaging device for such machines.

In machinesof the type'referredto a gage is commonly provided for positioning the sole longitudinally with :respectto the lower form by enagement with the heel end of thesoleasthe soleis being laid upon the lower form by the operator. Toadaptthe machine for certaintypes of moldingit .issometimes necessary to employ alower form of such a shape that when the sole is resting .on the .form theheel end of the sole will be elevated more or less with respect to the adjacent surface of the-form. ,Foruse in gaging the locations of soles with respect to such forms it has been proposed to employ a yielding sole gage which extends between the 'forms and. is normally supported a short distance above the loweriorm, :the gagebeing adapted-to be depressed with-the .heel end of the sole as the forms are=being brought into cooperative molding relation. "With such a sole gage it may sometimes-happen,- in presenting thesole to-themachine, that .theheelzend of. the sole will be forced rearwardly-between the gage and the lower form, in which-event not only will the gage be prevented from performing its-sole-positioning function but:it will be-so located above the sole that it will be pressedinto thesole during the molding operation, thereby causing the sole to be mutilated.

One object ofthe-presentinventionis toinsure against-liability of any sole being presented to the machine in such a; way as to render the solegaging means inoperative or tozcause-the-sole to be damaged in the molding-thereof.

With this and .otherrobjects in view, the invention provides -a novelvgaging device which is constructed andarranged as Willbe hereinafter described and claimed.

.The invention will now be explained with reference'to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a view in vertical longitudinal section of a .sole molding machine provided with my improved sole-gaging device; v

Fig. ,2 .is a'view. in vertical longitudinal section and on asomewhat 'enlarged'scale of a portion of themachinershowingithe upper and lower molding forms in-theirinitial, positions and .showing.a sole resting upon the lower. form in a, position determined byithezsoleegaging device;

Fig. 3 is a view similar vt:o.Flg.- -2 but on azstlll larger scale and showingthe positions of parts when thesole isbeing molded;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of thegaging device; and

Fig. 5 is aplan view ofthe .soleegaging device and a portion of thelower 'form showing a sole in position upon the form.

The illustrated sole-molding machine is'provided with two sets of cooperating sole-molding .forms, the upper formsbeing stationary and the lower forms .being. reciprocable simultaneously'in opposite directions toward and "from the .upper forms .and also being reciprocable horizontally iform Illis removably secured upon-a. carrier l2 which is supported upon a stationary .crosshead It. .The lower form i6 is .removably mounted upon a slide .8 which reciprocates inahorizontal guideway formed on a vertically movable crosshead 20. Vertical reciprocating movementsare imparted to the. crosshead. 20 from. a. crank shaft 22 by-meansof a link -24fland toggle levers 26. Horizontal reciprocating movements are imparted to the slide IB-bymeansof a bell crank 28 which is mountedon-ithe crossheadZO and has one arm connected to the slide l8 .bymeans of a link -30, the other arm of the bellcrankbeing connected by a link 32 to. an arm 34 integral with .a rockshait or sleeve-,36.journaledron theirame -38 of the-machine. I wardly fromthe rockshaftafi and isconnected An arm 40 extends reararm rigid with the rockshait 36, the arrangement ofbellxcranks and-slides being such that the reciprocating movements of-the slides take place during. the lowerhalf 'of the reciprocations of thecrosshead .20, and-its corresponding crossvhead,',in-.each direction. 7

An. improved sole-gaging device is associated with each of the lower molding forms, one of these devices being indicated at 46 in Fig. 1. The

' gaging device 46 is carried by an arm 48 which is pivoted at 50 to the upper side of a slide 52 mounted upon a horizontal guide rod 54.] The guide rod 54 is secured at its opposite ends to brackets 56 formed on a'carrier 58 that is clamped by a cam 60 to the form-carrying slidelB. .To

adjust the gaging device 46 to different sizes of I soles, means is provided for moving the slide 52 lengthwise of the rod 54, this means comprising actuating mechanism 62 carried by the slide is and connected by a rod 64 with a projection 65 on the slide 52. with the lower form at the opposite side of the machine is a, duplicate of the device and mechanism corresponding to that above described isemployed for supporting and adjusting it.

All the parts thus far described, with the e;- ceptionof the sole-gaging device 45 and the pivoted arm 48 (and the corresponding parts at the opposite side of the machine), are substantially the same as described in the patent to Preble No. 1,004,075, dated September 26, 1911. V l

The sole-gaging device 46, in accordance with the present invention, comprises two parts, viz.) a rigid'gage plate 10 and a spring finger 12 (Figs.

'2 to 4). The rear portion of the gage plate it is fixedly secured by screws 14 to the pivoted arm 48 and the rear portion of the spring finger 12 is riveted at 16 to the upper side'of the plate 16. The gageplate I is slotted at 18 (Fig. 4) to receive the forward portion of the spring finger I2 whichis ofiset downwardly with respect to the rear portion thereof and extends below thegage plate. The slot 18 is open at its forward end and sole The gage plate is thus adapted to deter:

mine thelengthwise'relation of the sole to the lower molding form. The flanges 8|] of thega e plate extend forwardly far enough to engage the opposite lateral edges of the sole substantially at points'where the arcuate curve of'its heel portion merges with the less sharply curved lateral edge portions thereof, thus enabling theflanges 80 to perform also the function of determining, with a substantial degree of accuracy, the angular relation of the sole to thelower molding form; The forward extremity of the spring finger 12 is upturned to form a flange 82 which is substantially the same width as the flanges B0 on the gage plate and which occupies-a position of alinement with the rear extremities of the gage plate flanges. The portion of the spring finger 12 near the base of the flange 8'2 rests upon the upper The gaging device associated vexity 84, the sole being positioned substantially as illustrated by the sole S in Fig. 2. Ihe sole S is of the type commonly knownas a .sprin heel sole, the heel portion of the sole being.

thickened by having a heel lift S cemented there to, and my improved gaging device i particularly adapted for use in connection with soles of this type. With the sole S positioned as shown in Fig. 2, it willbe noted'that the heel end of the sole is held somewhat above the rear portion of the form. The gage plate 70 is held by the spring finger 12 in the proper spaced relation to the'form lfi to engage the rear edge of a sole thus'positioned and thereby to determine the lengthwise and angular position of the sole with respect to the form. The sole is laid upon the form when the latter is in the forward position shown in Fig. 1 and the form is then moved rearwardly into a position of vertical alinement with the upper form l9, after which the lower form is 'raised to, press the sole against the upper form. During the final stage of the upward movement of the form It the flanges 8!] of the gage'plate 12 will engage the upperform and, when the lower form has reached its uppermost position and the sole is being pressed into conforming relation to the forms, the gage plate will have been rocked downwardly about the pivot 50 until it becomes positioned'relatively to the lower forms, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The width of the gage plate flanges 89 is sufliciently less than the original thickness of the sole to-allow for such com- I pression of the sole as may take place and to insure that the presence ofthe flanges between the molding forms will not interfere with-the molding operation. As the lower form It is being lowered, after the molding of the sole has been completed, the spring finger 12 will react to re- 7 turn the gage plate to the elevated position rela- 'curvature'of the edge of the heel portion of the j tively tothe lower form which it normally occupies. V

1 The width of the flanges on the gage plate 10 and of the flange onthe spring finger l2, and the normal positions of these flanges heightwise of the form I6, are such, relatively to the average thickness of the heel portions ofthe soles to be operated upon, that in most instances the flanges of the gage plate f will engage the sole edge throughout a portion, at least, of the full-thiekness of the sole and thus will function in position 7 ing the sole in" thedesired angular as well as the desired lon'gitudinalrelation to the form. In some cases, however; the heel end of the sole may be disposed at such an elevation that it will engage only the flangesof the gage plate 10 and in such 'cases, of course, the springfingerwill .perform'no gaging function but itwill permit the gage plate to" yield so'that the forms can be the sole with respectto thefo'rm. The flange 82 toe end resting upon the forward portion of the form and with its shank'portion u'pon'the conon the spring finger. willinsure that in no event can a sole be forced rearwardly beneath the gagepla'te ill into a-positionwhere it would be squeezed between the gage'plate and the lower iorm 'during the finalstage of th e'up'ward movementor the lowefform'.

anew-see If :a sole such :as -the spring heel :sole ishown in Eig. 2 is to bepperated .uponpand if the-sole, as :shown, is in a :flat :condition -when it is being :presented to themolding machine, the heel end of-the sole 'will be engagedby -the"flanges 80iand r *the flange 82 of the gaging device "and these 'flanges will all function indetermining the position=of the sole upon the form it. If the heel end ofthe-sole is bent -upwardlysomewhat it may be engaged by only the flanges B of the gage plate '10. If the 'heel end 0f the sole isbent dovvnwardly, ior if the sole isrheldiso that its heel end :re'sts upon itheupper'surface of the form ii 6, the i sole may be engaged only by the flange of the spring fing'e'r :12. sole wilrb'e positioned in theiproper longitudinal fel ation to the -form by the gaging device. If the sole is engagedbrily by theflange 82 of the spring "finger 12 "when presented to "the machine, the :eurvee fi'a'ng'es o'f the gage. :plate "'1 [9, while i not i in actual'conta'ct with the sole edge, will nevertheless assist the operator in'determining the desired angularielation-ofthe-so1e to the form since-it will be only necessary for'him to see that the "cur-ved heel -'edge-of the sole isali'ned with the -curve dfined by the gage plate fiange's, in which case the sole will be properly positioned angularly with respect "to the form for the performance --of the melding l operation.

' In -the'useof my improvedgaging d'evice it has sequently "the upper form does not have to be "notched or recessed to receive a clampingmemb'er. 'The molding surfaces of both forms I may therefore-be made continuous throughout-thefull length and width'ofthe sole and the'mol'ding will be accomplishedwithout defacement or damage to the sole such as would result if the upper form were cut away to receive a sole clamping member.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a sole-molding machine, upper and lower molding forms relatively movable toward and from each other to mold a sole supported by the lower form with one end portion of the sole spaced above said form, a gage extending between said forms for determining the position of the sole relatively to the lower form, said gage being mounted to partake of the relative movement of the forms, and yielding means carried by said gage and engaging the lower form for holding said gage normally spaced above said form in position to engage said end portion of the sole.

2. In a sole-molding machine, upper and lower molding forms relatively movable toward and from each other to mold a sole supported by the lower form with one end portion of the sole spaced above said form, a gage extending between said forms for determining the position of the sole relatively to the lower form, and a leaf spring engaging the lower form for holding said gage normally spaced above said form in position to engage said end portion of the sole, said gage and said spring being mounted to partake of the relative movement of said forms and said spring having a sole-engaging face normally positioned below said gage to prevent the sole from being forced between said gage and the lower form.

3. In a sole-molding machine, upper and lower 7 molding forms relatively movable toward and. from each other to mold a solebetweenthempa Ineither case, however,the

main gage sfor determining the position -of -the sole relatively to said form, said gage wextending between the forms -to-engageoneend ,portion of the sole in cases wherethesoleis supported with said :portion-spaceda-=substantial distance above themolding-face lot the lower form,-andan auxiliary gage carried by the main igage .and resting upon the lower form in .-position to engage said -end portion of =the sole dmcases where :it is presented at-a lower elevation,=said:gages 'beingmelativelysyieldable in the direction of relative 'movement of the forms to enable the, =forms -to cooperate in -the molding-of-the sole.

. f4. Inva sole-'molding machin'e,=upper andqower molding forms relatively movable *toward and from=each other to mold :amOleibetWeen'them, and a gaging device comprising main and auxiliary gages extending betWee'nt-said :forms for copper- :ation withione ianother' in' determining theaposition of 'a sole relatively -=.to the lower :form, isaid "gages I being normally positioned at different ielevations 'to allow for :dlfierentpositions :of :presentation of the 2 sole Sand being relatively yield'able in'thedirection 'of relativemovementof tne. forms toavoid interference'awith isaid:.relativeimovenient in the idirie'ction toeifect cooperation of -the iorms.

'5. In a sole-molding machine, a lower molding form adapted tolsupport a sole with its heel end elevated above the rriolding 1 face of 'the form, an upper fmolding form T0! '='C00p'lating Villtll "the lower 1 form to m'ol'd -tli'e soie,= means for mo'ving the lower *form into operative relation to the upper form, a- 'g age l cated between said forms for I determining the po'sition -of the sole relatively to the rormsxb' enga ement*withone "end portion of=the sole, and a leaf-spririg-se'cured at'one end to-said gag'e and having its oppositeend resting upon the lower form -"f'or holdingthe'gage normally 'above the molding iacee' of the lower form for engagement with the edge of the heel portion of the sole.

6. In a sole-molding machine, a stationary upper molding form, a support movable toward and. from said form, a lower sole-supporting form on said support for cooperating with the upper form to mold a sole, an arm fulcrumed upon said support, and a gaging device carried by said arm, said device comprising a central finger extending between said forms and engageable with the edge at the heel end of the sole and two gage faces located between said forms at a higher elevation than said finger and engageable with said edge at opposite sides of the portion engaged by said finger, said finger and said faces being'relatively' displaceable in the directions of movement of said lower form to avoid interference with the molding operation.

7. In a sole-molding machine, a stationary upper molding form, a support movable toward and from said form, a lower sole-supporting form on said support for cooperating with the upper form to mold a sole, an arm fulcrumed upon said support, and a gaging device comprising a rigid plate and a spring finger carried by said arm and each having a free end extending between said forms, the free end of said plate being recessed to provide gage faces for engaging the edge of the heel end of the sole at opposite sides of the center line of the sole and the free end of said finger resting upon the lower form and having a sage face for engaging the edge of the heel end of the sole between the portions engaged by the gage faces on said plate, and the free end or said finger being oflsetbelow said plate whereby the plateis g 1 supported yieldingly by said finger with the e se faces of the plate at a higher elevation than that ofthefingers W 1 8.{In -a sole-molding machine having solemolding forms movable into and out of coopera tive relation to'mold-a sole positioned between 1 them, a sole gaging deviceoomprising' a'gage plate having sole-positioning faces-for engaging one end portion of a sole at opposite sides of its longitudinal center line, and a leaf sprin carried by V and extending below said plate and arranged for contact with one of said forms to sustain said gage in spaced relation therefrom.

9. In a sole-molding machine, a pair of relatively movable molding forms adapted to mold a sole between'them, a gaging device for locating the sole with respect to one'of said form's, said device comprising an end gage spaced from one of said forms and havingsole-engaging faces spaced from each other for engaging. the sole edge at opposite sides'of the centerline of the sole,

' and a gage located between the said sole-engaging faces, having asole-engaging face normally ofiset from said spaced sole-engaging faces and yieldingly sustained to enable it to assume a position in the plane of said spaced sole-engaging. faces in response to heightwise pressure of said forms.

7 10. In asole-moldingmachine, upper and lower molding forms movablev toward and fromeach other to mold asole supported by the lower form,

a gage plate pivoted at one end for upward and downward movements between said forms and havingat its free'end spaced gage faces for engaging the edge of the heelportion of the sole at oppositesides of the longitudinal center line of s'aidheel portion, and a member yieldingly supported. in the space between said gage faces forming a continuation thereof and movable heightwise relatively thereto.

,11. In I a solemolding machine cooperating sole-molding forms'relatively movable heightwise,

to mold a sole between them; a gage, means supporting said gage for a limited amount of a upand-down movement relatively to the lower form, saidgage having surfaces-spaced widthwise of the sole for engaging the sole edge at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the sole, a leaf spring extending below the gage and having an end engaging the lowerrform below said gage surfaces, said spring holding said gage normally raised. V I

12. In a sole-molding machine, asole-supporting form, a cooperating molding form movable relatively to the supporting form to mold a sole resting upon the latter, a gage extending between said forms, said gage having sole-engaging surfaces located at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the supporting form, and a leaf spring member secured to said gage and resting 'upon said supporting form, said spring member having a sole-edge-engaging face located between the sole-engaging surfaces of the said gage to prevent backward displacement of the sole relatively to said surfaces, said member being constructed and arranged to rest'on the supporting form to hold said gage normally spaced therefrom so that it will yield when engaged by said cooperating form. v

13. In a sole-molding machine, upper and lower sole-molding forms, means for moving the lower form into and out of position to cooperate with the upper form to mold a sole, a gage movable with the lower form for positioning the sole relatively thereto, said gagebeing pivoted at one end and having at the other end spacedportions located between said forms for engaging the edge .of the heel end of the sole at opposite sides of its longitudinal median line, and a member adapted to occupy the space between said spaced portions and movable heightwise relatively thereto. 7

Y ALBIN C. EEK. 

